Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort teams up with JIATF-401 to bolster counter-UAS training

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 led a multi-day counter-drone training and operational assessment at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, from June 15 to 18, bringing together the U.S. Army’s C5ISR Center, the FBI and a range of interagency partners.

The exercise focused on sharpening base-level defenses to protect critical assets and sustain flight operations against the growing threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems. Organizers said the effort reflects a broader push across U.S. military installations to expand counter‑UAS capabilities and procedures as drones become cheaper, more capable and more accessible.

Over several days, teams ran live drone scenarios and installation-specific evaluations to gauge how well units can detect, track and respond in a realistic environment. Marines at the air station trained to react quickly to potential incursions through rigorous, scenario-driven drills.

The FBI’s Columbia Field Office joined additional federal, state and local stakeholders, underscoring the emphasis on a coordinated, whole‑of‑government approach to countering unmanned aerial threats. Officials said the collaboration helped refine a shared picture of the operational environment around the installation.

“Increasing training capabilities and interoperability across the interagency and joint force is critical to ensuring installations are prepared to detect, track, and respond to the rapidly evolving drone threat,” said Kevin White, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Liaison Officer to JIATF-401. “This coordinated effort between Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, the FBI, and other partners is rapidly increasing counter-UAS capabilities for our warfighters.”

Beyond immediate readiness gains, the event generated data to guide future training, system integration and capability development. JIATF‑401 plans to continue expanding support to installations across the services as part of broader homeland defense efforts to protect critical infrastructure from drone activity.

MCAS Beaufort, home to Marine Corps fighter and training units, is among the airfields where safeguarding flight operations and high‑value equipment has become a top priority as defense and law enforcement agencies adapt to rapidly evolving commercial and improvised drone technologies. Organizers did not detail specific systems used during the assessment, citing operational security.